ISA World Masters: Day 4 Highlights

Surfers Fighting For Survival On Day 4 Of The Nicaragua ISA World Masters

More Than Half of the Competitors Eliminated on Day 4 in Tricky Conditions at Colorado Beach at Hacienda Iguana

Survival – it was the theme of Day 4 of the Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. Thirty-one Repechage heats were run at Colorado Beach at Hacienda Iguana, and by the end of the afternoon on Wednesday, 58 more athletes exited the contest.

Surfline, the Official Forecaster of the event, has called for a significant swell to fill in over the next couple days, which has competitors and spectators excited for the finals this weekend. Today, with waves in the two to four-foot range and 15-minute Repechage heats, surfers were scrambling for scoring opportunities – which is adding extra stress to an already tense situation.

“Right now there is no room for mistakes; you lose and you go home, so the pressure is on, and you just have to deal with it,” said German Aguirre (PER), who won both of his Grand Masters heats. “It seems like the pressure of the Repechage is helping us (the Peruvian team), because we are passing through our heats, and surfing better and better.” Aguirre’s teammates Magoo de la Rosa and Javier Huarcaya also advanced through two Repechage heats in their respective divisions. There have now been 76 athletes eliminated from the event, more than half of the draw. Only USA has its full team still in contention.

Surprisingly, winds turned side-shore for a short while today, making the already challenging conditions even more so. That, however, did not prevent some phenomenal rides and high scores. Juan Ashton (PUR) found himself in an unfamiliar position today, surfing in the Repechage round of the Grand Masters. He hadn’t been in the elimination round since the 2007 ISA World Masters in Puerto Rico – the year he won his first of four ISA Gold Medals.

“At least I found my rhythm today and in the two rounds that I surfed, I got seven-point rides, and that is exciting for me. It’s even better than winning the heat because it proves that I’m stepping up my level, which gives me confidence for the rest of the competition,” Ashton said. “It’s pretty hard because in a beachbreak everything can happen, everything can change. I’m just taking it heat by heat, round by round, not even thinking about another Gold Medal. I just want to surf and wait to see what happens.”

Though there are no cash prizes in ISA competition, for most of the surfers in the event, the pride they feel while representing their country means more than a financial return. Every heat, the waterline is packed with teammates and supporters waving flags, and shouting words of support and suggestions out into the lineup. Some surfers even step outside their comfort level to do what is necessary to give the best amount of help to their country.

“I grew up surfing on shortboards and then switched to longboarding, but in this event I wanted to help the Venezuelan team; they gave me the opportunity to be here representing my country and I’m doing my best,” said Ronald Reyes, who won his Men’s Masters (over-35) Repechage heat. “I’m very happy because my daughter is here with me,” Reyes continued. “I don’t live with her and having her here at the event makes me very happy. When I see her supporting me on the beach with the Venezuelan flag, it makes me more relaxed in the water and gives me more energy in every heat.”

Action resumes tomorrow, July 19, with Men’s Masters Main Event heats. The event webcast will be live beginning at 7:40am local time (6:40am PST; 9:40am EST; 2:40pm in Paris; and 11:40pm in Sydney) with The Morning Show at www.isawmsc.com/live.

About the International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, and the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 71 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA´s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).

About Gray Line Tours Nicaragua
Gray Line Tours is a leading tour operator in Nicaragua, and is affiliated with Gray Line Worldwide, which provides tourism services around the world. The company offers complete services in accommodation, transportation, tours, as well as the organization of congress and incentive travels (DMC). It offers quality and professional services, as well as personalized attention to its clients 24 hours a day.

Gray Line offers competitive rates and a wide range of products from nature and cultural packages to surfing and adventure programs. International surfing competitions in Nicaragua have been possible since 2010 thanks to Gray Line Nicaragua efforts.